Machine for testing and matching colors



Jun@ 24% QQL C. E Hom/ER, NRv WWQ? MACHINE FORTESTING AND MATCHINGCoLoRs Filed Sept. 8,-1939 3 Sheets-Sheet l mmm ."5 Sheets-Sheet 2 www f/l //////,//l lll/l Hume 24, IMI c. E. Hom/ER, .J R

MACHINE FOR TESTING AND MATCHING COLORS Filed Sept. 8, 1959 IIIIIHHHIHIIIIII June 24, 19M.

c. E. HOOVER, JR 247,97 MACHINE FOR TESTING AND MATCHING COLORS FiledSept. 8, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented .lune 2d, 1941 Militia?? MCHENEFR TESTING AND MATCHING COLORS Charles E. Hoover, Jr., Maplewood, N. J.

8 Claims.

The present invention relates to machines for testing and matchingcolors and is an improvement upon the machine shown in U. S. LettersPatent No. 2,150,603.

The object of the present invention is to produce a machine for testingor matching colors and of a construction which is most efficient,durable, and economical in use and manufacture, said constructionpermitting the parts to be readily disassembled and assembled forpurposes of cleaning and repair.

A feature of the present invention resides in two mulling platesarranged one over the other and having a relative mulling movement, oneplate being carried by a swinging frame so that it may be moved tooperative and inoperative positions to cover and expose the other plate,and said other plate being movable to and from operative position.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of two mulling membersarranged one over the other and having a relative mulling movement, thelower member being mounted so that it may be moved up and downrelatively to the upper member and, when moved upwardly, is brought intooperative relation therewith and, when moved downwardly, will break theadhesion between the two members after a mulling operation.

A still further feature of the invention resides in the novel selectivemeans for timing the mulling operation and by which said operation maybe controlled.

Further objects and features oi the invention reside in the novel andsundry details of construction, combination and arrangement of partshereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, which show the preferred embodiment of the invention asat present devised- Fig. l is an elevation of the machine looking towardwhat may be termed the front or face of the machine;

Fig. 2 is a top plan View of the machine as shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on line 3-3 ofFig. 2;

Fig. fi is a transverse vertical view taken substantially on line 'i--of Fig. l;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 5--5, Fig. 4,showing the control mechanisrn.

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on line 6 6 ofFig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on line l-'l ofFig. 5; and

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary detailed View of a stud for actuating thecounting device of the controlling mechanism.

Referring more in detail to the drawings in which like parts areindicated by the same reference numerals, lt denotes a substantiallyflat base by which the apparatus is supported. A cylindrical post orspindle H extends vertically and upwardly from said base, at a suitableY point in its area, to form a bearing support for the bottom mullingplate i2, this plate having a centrally disposed downwardly extendingboss or hub i3, suitably bored to receive the post ll. .A mulling plateit is disposed above and arranged to overlie the mulling plate l2 sothat the two will cooperate in the mulling operation. This plate ld iscarried by a frame l5 which entends horizontally across the top of themachine and has one end pivoted, as at I6, to upstanding bracket arms lirigid with the base it. Thus, it will be seen that the frame l5 may beswung in a vertical plane about its pivot l5 from its position shown inthe drawings to the dotted line position shown in Figure 3 to fullyexpose the lower mulling plate l2.

The distal end oi the frame I5 normally rests upon the upper end of astandard or bracket I8, which rises from the base l, when the frame i5is in the position shown by full lines in the drawing to` support themulling plate l in cooperative relation to the mulling plate lll. Theframe l5 is locked in this normal position by a latch consisting of apivoted lever i3 carried by the frame l5 and having a lateral projectingdetent end Eil to engage in an opening 2l in the upright it. A stud bolt22 carried by the frame l5 passes through an opening in the lever i9 anda helical spring 23 between the head of the bolt 22 and the levernormally urges and maintains the detent in the opening 2l. The other endof the lever I9 is provided with a iinger piece ma, which overlies theframe I5 to be conveniently depressed to move the detent ft out of theopening 2l.

In a mulling machine of this type it is desirable and necessary that thepressure on the material being treated between the plates l2 and it, bevariable according to the requirement for obtaining the properattrition. In the present device, this is provided for by mounting thetop plate it in a loose or floating manner on the frame l5, as forexample, through the medium of an arm pivotally connected at one endportion 25 to the frame I5 and at an intermediate point 26 to the plateId, and by having the other or distal end of the arm 24 inuenced by avariable pressure means, such as, for example, a weight-hanger 21 whichitself is removable from the arm 25 or may have other weights appliedthereto.

More specically, the frame I comprises two parallel bars a (see Fig. 2)connected at their end portions and between which the pivoted end of thearm 2li is disposed. The pivot pin 25 extends through said end of thearm 24 and is connected at its end portion to the bars a. The arm 24 isprovided with a recess b at a point along its length between its end andinto which a projection c on the mulling plate I4 extends, the pivot pin26 extending through said projection c and having its ends mounted inthe arm 24. Thus, the distance of the arm 24 between the pivot pins and2E provides a loose or pivoted f connecting link between the uppermulling plate III and the frame I5.

The distal end d of the arm 23 extends beyond the frame I5 to removablyextend into an elongated slot e in the stem of the weight-hanger 2'I.The hanger 21 is provided on the lower end with a weight-supportingflange f through which a guide rod g, removably secured to the base III,extends through an opening h in the flange f. The dotted lines showadditional weights z' which may be employed for varying the pressurebetween the plates I2 and I4, said weights being provided with asuitable slot which will straoldle the hanger stem 2l and the guide rodg.

As the mulling operation is accomplished by subjecting the material tobe treated to attrition between the mulling plates, the lower mullingplate I2 is rotated about its axis or supporting post I I by anysuitable means, such, for instance, as a sprocket 28 concentricallyarranged about the hub I3 and about which a suitable chain may bepassed, connected with a suitable variable speed device of any approvedtype, which, of course, is driven from a source of power. However, it isto be understood that any other suitable means may be employed forrotating the mulling plate I2.

A suitable liner or bearing 29 is arranged between the walls of the boreof the hub I3 and the spindle II, upon which the hub does not onlyrotate but also reciprocates longitudinally thereof. This reciprocatingmovement of the hub I3 on the spindle II is to initially break, aftereach mulling operation, the adhering contact between the mullingsurfaces of the plates I2 and I due to the material being therebetween.To this end the lower end of the hub I3 is reduced concentrically withthe spindlegll to provide a bearing shoulder 3G. Within this reducedportion of the hub there is disposed a collar 3I. Interposed between thecollar 3l and the shoulder 3G is an anti-frictional bearing 32; and onthe other side of the collar 3| is disposed a lock flange 33 for holdingthe collar in position on said reduced portion of the hub. A yoke 35.,straddles the collar 3l circumferentially and has its free endspivotally secured to bearing post on the base plate IIl. The closed endof the yoke 3A is forked to provide upper and lower bearing surfaces y'and k, between which lies a horizontally extending pin 33 laterallyprojecting from a vertically swinging lever 3l mounted on a horizontalaxis 33 xed to the base IIJ. The yoke 34 carries oppositely arrangedinwardly extending studs 34a. journalled in the collar 3I.

kli)

The lever 37 extends from the rear of the supporting plate III to theforward or front side of the machine as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and, whenin the full line position shown in the drawings, moves the plate I2upwardly to the limit 0f its movement, at which point a spring presseddetent 39 engages in an opening in a post 40 on the base IIJ so as tomaintain the mulling plate I 2 in cooperative relation with the plateIii. When the detent 39 is released from the opening in post lI by thennger piece 4I, downward pressure on the distal end of the lever 3l willbreak the adhesive contact between the plates I2 and I3. The adhesionbetween the plates after each operation is rather substantial and theleverage provided through the lever 5l, pin 35, fork 34 on the collar 3lis suncient to break this Contact and allow the frame I5 to be swung toinoperative position so that the plate I li will uncover the plate I2.

;"Ihe amount of mulling or rubbing operation produced by the relativemovement of the plates I2 and I4 can be regulated and controlled by atiming device for stopping the motor or for operating a clutchmechanism, not shown. In the present embodiment this timing mechanismoperates a switch 42, which is preferably a mercury switch, carried on avertically tiltable arm 43 pivoted at one end, as at 44, and biased tobe urged to normal position by a spring 45. The timing device may be, asshown in the drawings, a counting device registering the number ofrevolutions or complete relative movements of the mulling plates andcomprising a disc or wheel III having a spindle Il disposed at itscentral axis and journalled in the bearing 3. This wheel IS is providedwith ratchet teeth (preferably equi-spaced) about its periphery whichare engaged by a pawl 49 carried on a pivoted trigger 5I) having aprojection 5I extending into the path of movement of a trip 52 fast onthe hub I3 of the rotary mulling plate I2. The trigger is pivoted toapost 53 rising from the base I Il at a point near the wheel I6 whichlatter is disposed at the front side of the machine. The trigger maytake any suitable form to swing on a horizontal axis 55a so as to movethe pawl IIS upwardly or in the direction or rotation of the wheel 43,when the trigger is actuated by the trip 52, yieldably mounted, as at52a, to absorb violent shocks. The pawl 49 is preferably slidablymounted in a recessed portion of the tripV 59 adjacent the periphery ofthe wheel d5 and is normally urged outwardly by a spring 55 to maintainnormal contact with the periphery of the wheel 46.

The trigger projection 5I is preferably arcuate and substantiallyconcentric with the hub I3 and has a convexed under side or surface lwhich engages and rides upon a roller 55 on the trip 52. Consequently,upon each revolution of theV lhub I3 the trip 52 will engage the surface1 of the trigger extension 5I and, because of the convex shape of thissurface, willraise the trigger in the direction of the arrow .r aboutits pivot 58a. carrying with it a dog I9 and advancing the wheel 45 onenotch or tooth in the direction of the arrow y (see Fig. 6) After thetrip 52 has passed from under the projection 5I the trigger 50 dropsdown to its original position to be again actuated upon the nextrevolution of the hub I3.

The normal position of the trigger 53 may be varied by adjustment of thestop bolt 55, whereby the throw of the trigger 5I) and the resultantrotation of the wheel 46 may be increased or decreased according to theadjustment of this stop A reverse or backward movement of the wheel i6is prevented by a spring pressed dog 5l. The wheel i6 is provided withmeans for selectively varying the time at which the switch 42 will beoperated to open the circuit to an actuating motor or controllinginstrumentality, such as a clutch, from which the mulling plate I2 isactuated. This selective or variable timing means may compriseadjustable keys or projections 58 spaced around the axis of the wheel ordisc lit, so that, for any given operation, when the disc it has beenproperly set with respect to a zero point o (Fig. l) and one of theprojections 58 has been adjusted to operative position it will trip asuitable mechanism for actuating the switch arm 43.

As shown in the drawings, particularly Figs. l., 5, and 6, theprojections 58 are shown as being four in number equally spaced aboutthe disc 45 and are in the form of studs threaded through the disc d andprovided with nger pieces 58a on the iront side of the disc so as to bereadily accessible to the operator. it is desired to have the mullerrotate for the full rotation of the disc e6, the screws 58 are withdrawnexcept one opposite the zero indication mark on the front plate ma ofthe timer. This screw will be screwed its full length inwardly so as tobe in the path of a switch trip Sii (see Figs. 5 and 6). When the switcharm i3 is to be operated at one-half of the rotation of the disc all,all of the projections 58 are withdrawn from the path of the switch trip5S eX- cept the one diametrically opposite the zero point o. Ii theswitch arm` d3 is to be operated at one-quarter turn of the disc fili,then all of the projections 58 may be projected into the path of theswitch trip 59 and one arranged opposite the `zero mark o. Of course,there may be as many projections 58 as desired and their construction ordesign may be varied from that shown.

The switch trip 55') is in the form of a lug pivoted on a horizontalaxis S6, to a spindle 5l rotatable about a vertical axis. The s-pindle6l is mounted in a cylindrical bore 62 (Fig. 5) in the block 68a so asto be oscillated. The block 48a also carries the bearings 48 for theshaft il of the disc lili. The switch trip 59 is -biased to a normalhorizontal position .by a tension spring G3 and the spindle 6l is biasedby spring 64 to move it to a position so that the switch trip 59 willlie in the path of movement of any extended projection 53 on the disciii. This switch trip 59 is in the nature of a safety device interposedbetween the projections ii on the counter or timing disc @t and a latchmeans lil for the purpose of transmitting motion to the latch means 'H3(hereinafter more fully described) to release the same only when thestarting element or handle E5 for controlling the operation of themachine is in its starting or machine operating position shown in dottedlines or Fig. 6 and as will more fully hereinafter appear.

The starting handle G5 is on the outer end of a rod S slidably mountedin a bore il in the block Lilla. Projecting laterally from that portionof the rod liti projecting from the bore 6l is a finger 6B having thesurface of its free end bevelled, as at 69, and upon which rides acomplemental bevelled surface on the lower side of the switch yarm t3.It will thus `be seen that when the handle is drawn outwardly to thedotted Thus, when Lli) line position shown in Fig. 6 the switch arm 43will ride upon the surface 69, thus raising and tilting said arm whichcarries the mercury switch l2 closing the icircuit to cause mulling4plate I2 to rotate. At the same time this operation takes place thespring lill rotates the spindie 6| to move a switch trip 59 in the patho1 movement of the projections 58.

The starter handle $5 is maintained in its starting position, shown indotted lines in Fig. 6, by a latch positioned under the switch trip 5eand actuated thereby. This latch, in the present embodiment, takes theform of an upwardly v spring pressed plunger l0 mounted in a suitablebore ll in the block d8a, which bore communicates with the bore 6l inwhich the handle rod E5 is slidably mounted.

The plunger l0 has a passage l2 therein which is designed to align withpassage or 4bore El when the plunger is depressed by the tri-p switch 59thus permitting the forward end of the rod 66 to enter therein andcomplete its movement (shown in full lines) to allow the switch trip i3to ride downwardly on the surface B9 to break the electrical contact orcircuit to the operating mechanism. A spring 'i3 `connected to the rod56 and the Iblock llaa normally urges the rod @6 to its switch openingposition. When the rod is withdrawn to its dotted line position as shownin Fig. 6 and removed from the passage 12, the spring lli moves theplunger lil upwardly thus disaligning the passages lil and 'l2 wherebythe handle 65 of the operating rod is maintained in starting or circuitclosing position until a projection 53 strikes switch trip 59,depressing the same and consequently moving the plunger lil to apointwhere the passages 6l and 'l2 realign and the spring 'F3 moves theforward end of the rod 66 in the passage l2. Simultaneously with thelast stated operation, an arm l5 projecting from the linger S8 engages aprojected end of the pivot Bil, moving the spindle 6| in ananti-clockwise direction, thus moving the trip switch 59 out of the-path or the projections 53.

The m-ulling members l2 and l may have their opposing faces of suchcharacter as will perform the mulling operation desired or may havesuperposed thereon plates 12a and lla which are attached thereto and ofsuch character as will perform the operation desired. As an example,such plates may be of glass, metal, fiber, porcelain, wood or fabric orany other desired material. The opposing surfaces of the mulling membersl2 and l@ or the opposing surfaces of the plates ld and Hic, when theiropposing surfaces provide the mulling surfaces, are continuous orunbroken within the area of their perimeter. In the present instancesthese plates 52a and lila provide the lactual mulling surfaces and areshown as consisting of glass. These plates $20; and Mio; are of a sizecommensurate with the size of the mulling members l2 and lil and arerigidly and removably held in place by rings SED and Mb respectivelywhich iit the periineters of the members l2 and lli and have an inwardlyextending flange which will grip the edges of the plates 12a and Hic.These rings are movably held in place by screws lic and lilo which passtherethrough and threadedly engage in the mulling members l2 and lil.

it will thus be seen that in the use ci the device, by pressing thelatch handle iSd, the plate lll may be removed from the plate l2 byswinging Ithe frame l5 on its pivot iii; the operatc-r may then mix aquantity of dry color and suitable vehicle to form a paste on the platel2. Then move frame l5 to bring the plate Ml into the position shown inFigs. 1, 2, and 3 allowing the detent 2b to become fastened in theopenings 2|. Then move lever 3l upwardly to the position shown in Figs.1 and 2 where the detent 3S will engage the opening in the lug 59,thereby raising the plate l2 upwardly and latching the same incooperative position with the plate Irl. The proper weights are placedupon the weight hanger 2l according to the pressure desired. The iingerpieces 58a. of the timing keys 53 are then suitably actuated to selectthe number of revolutions for the mulling operation and the disc @6adjusted with respect to the zero mark on the face plate lila, as abovedescribed. The starter handle E5 is then pulled outwardly, to dottedline position oi Fig. 6, actuating the switch arm t3 to cause themulling plate l2 to rotate and the passages 6l and 'l2 to disalign sothat the spring lll will move the plunger 'l0 to hold the rod iid inmachine operating position. Whenthe proper number of revolutions of theplate l2 has been made, one of the timing keys 58 will engage the switchtrip Eil, depressing the plunger 'lll to a point where passages 6l and'l2 align, thus permitting spring 73 to retract the starter handles SSto machine stopping position to operate the switch arm "i3 in theopposite direction to break the circuit or otherwise to stop themachine. The latch 39 is then operated to release the lever 3?, which isthen moved downwardly to break the adhesion between the mulling surfacesof the plates l2 and lll. Upon releasing the latch i9 and again swingingthe frame l5 upwardly to expose the mulling surfaces of the mullingmembers l2 and i4 to view and access (as indicated in dotted lines ofFig. 3), the results of the operation may be ascertained.

Having thus described the invention and the manner in which the same isperformed, it is to be understood that the invention is not to belimited to the exact features of construction herein shown and describedbecause they are susceptible of being modified or varied in a mannerwhich falls within the terms or scope of the appended claims.

That which is claimed is:

l. A mulling device for testing or matching samples of pigment for coloror shades of color, comprising a frame, a pair of superposed mullingmembers arranged in cooperative relation and having opposed at smoothmulling surfaces, each surface being continuous or unbroken within itsperimeter, one of said members being mounted on said frame to have arotary motion and to have a reciprocating motion to and from the othermulling member, means for rotating said rotatably mounted member, andmeans for reciprocating said rotatably mounted member for permitting theraising and lowering of said last mentioned member into and out ofcooperative mulling relation with said other member, means movablymounting said other mulling member on said frame whereby the mullingsurfaces of said members may be exposed or moved into relativecooperative mulling positions, means for yieldably mounting said othermulling member.

2. A mulling device for testing or matching samples of pigment for coloror shades of color, comprising a frame, a pair of superposed mullingmembers arranged in cooperative relation and having opposed at andsmooth mulling surfaces continuous or unbroken within their perimeters,the lower of said members being mounted on said frame to have a rotarymotion and to have a reciprocating motion to and from the upper mullingmember, means for rotating said lower member, means for reciprocatingsaid lower member for permitting the raising and lowering of said lastmentioned member into and out of cooperative mulling relation with theupper mulling member, said upper mulling member being supported by saidframe, means for yieldably mounting said upper mulling member, and meansfor exerting variable pressure on said upper mulling member.

3. A mulling device for testing or matching samples of pigment for coloror shades of color, comprising a frame, a pair of superposed mullingmembers arranged in cooperative relation, the lower of said membersbeing mounted on said frame to have a rotary motion and to have areciprocating motion to and from the upper mulling member, means forrotating said lower member, means for reciprocating said lower member tomove it into and out of mulling position with the upper member, saidupper mulling member being supported by said frame, means for yieldablymounting said upper mulling member, and means for controlling the numberof revolutions of said lower mulling member and including selectivelyadjustable means operated by said rotating mulling member for actuatingsaid control means to stop said rotation when a preselected number ofmulling movements have been reached.

4. In a color testing mulling machine of the lrind described, asupporting frame including a base, a pair of substantially horizontallydisposed mulling members having opposed mulling surfaces, means forrotatably journalling the lower mulling member on said base, means forreciprocating said lower mulling member vertically to move it into andout of cooperative mulling relation withA the upper mulling member andincluding a manually operable element, the upper mulling member beingdisposed above said lower mulling member and mounted on a frame elementmovably supported by said supporting frame, and releasable means forrendering said movable frame element rigid with the supporting frame tomaintain said mulling member in operative position and for permittingthe frame element to be moved to exposed and render accessible themulling surfaces.

5. A mulling device for testing or matching samples of pigment for coloror shades of color as set forth in claim 4 wherein the upper mullingmember is yieldably connected to said frame element and wherein meansare provided for exerting a variable pressure on said upper mullingelement.

6. A mulling device for testing or matching samples of pigment for coloror shades of color as set forth in claim l wherein a weight arm ispivoted at one end portion to said frame element and its other endportion is provided with a variable weight means, and wherein the uppermulling member is connected to said arm.

7. In a mulling device for matching colors, comprising a supportingframe having a base, a pair of superposed mulling members, the lower ofsaid members having a hub portion provided with a bore, a verticalspindle on said base an extending into said bore of the hub, wherebysaid lower mulling member may rotate and reciprocate on said spindle,means for rotating said hub on the spindle, a yoke straddling said huband pivotally mounted at one of its ends to 8. In a mulling device formatching colors as set forth in claim 7 further characterized by meansfor releasably locking said lever in position to retain said lowermulling member in raised 5 position.

CHARLES E. HOOVER, JR.

